The deal, announced Friday, gives Sophos an array of new products for securing corporate networks from online attacks. Sophos is best known for its antivirus software.

Founded in 2000, Astaro makes the Astaro Security Gateway appliances that work as all-in-one security tools, combining a firewall, virtual private network, and Web and e-mail security.

The company, which has 220 employees, had sales of US$56 million in 2010. Terms of the deal, which is expected to close in mid-June, were not disclosed.

Following the acquisition, Sophos plans to sell an integrated "endpoint and network security solution that can apply consistent security, web, and application policy controls regardless of whether a user is in the corporate network or roaming off the network," the company said in a statement.

Robert McMillan covers computer security and general technology breaking news for The IDG News Service. Follow Robert on Twitter at @bobmcmillan. Robert's e-mail address is robert_mcmillan@idg.com

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